SOMERSET COUNTY

Seniors awarded for their dedicated community service

Linda VanZandt
  • Mary Casey, 94, has worked full time since she graduated high school almost 80 years ago
  • Bill Rapoport has donated more than 1,400 hours of service to the senior and disabled citizens
  • Harish Bhalla provides Medicare enrollees with information and advice regarding insurance

SOMERSET COUNTY – Somerset County Freeholder Director Mark Caliguire presented citations during Older Americans Month congratulating recipients of the 2015 “Profiles of Positive Aging” awards for 60-plus adults who contribute to their communities in many different ways.

“You are such great examples of how important continued engagement in your communities is to not only your communities but also to you,” he said. “You have maintained your commitment to serving others and that has enriched your lives. A life spent serving others is a richer life — you are living proof of that.”

Recipients of this year’s “Profiles of Positive Aging” awards are:

Harish Bhalla of Neshanic Station (Branchburg) — Nominated by George Harlan, the county’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) coordinator. Harish Bhalla, 80, is chair of the Legislative Advocacy Committee for the Office on Aging & Disability Services Advisory Council. As a SHIP counselor, he provides Medicare enrollees with information and advice regarding insurance and other concerns; his counseling provides a path to proper medical and drug coverage that assures better health for seniors. He has been particularly effective promoting SHIP services within the Hindi-speaking community. He is a member of the New Jersey Superior Court’s three-county Advisory Council on Minority Concerns and has served as senior advisor of the regional Hindu religious group Arya Samaj. His many and varied volunteer activities result in better health for seniors, better treatment of minorities and more involvement of the Asian-Indian community.

Mary Casey of Bound Brook — Nominated by Somerset County Vo-Tech Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chrys Harttraft. Mary Casey, 94, has worked full-time since she graduated high school almost 80 years ago and has no plans to retire in the near future. She works at the Somerset County Vocational and Technical Schools serving healthy meals to staff and students; she started there 15 years ago. She emphasizes neatness, cleanliness and always has a positive attitude. The students benefit from her dedication, healthy habits and excellent work ethic. She is always optimistic about life and recently refused a closer parking space, stating “the walk is good for me.” She enjoys her job and says it is one way for her to keep her mind active and “see wonderful people on a daily basis.” Casey is the proud mother of two, grandmother of four and great-grandmother of one.

Silvia Composto of Belle Mead (Montgomery) — Nominated by Montgomery Senior Center Manager Denise Crowley. Silvia Composto, 64, walked into the Montgomery Senior Center about a year ago looking for a way to volunteer. Today she is still at the center helping out in the kitchen. As a member of the Montgomery Knit Wits, she initiated a crochet class at the center and was able to engage a volunteer instructor whom she assists. The participants at the center benefit from the extensive flower garden she and her husband have; she shares knowledge about gardening and her fresh-cut flowers on every table brighten the center. A hummingbird feeder she brought to the center is increasing the participants’ interest in birds. Her extensive sewing and craft skills have been put to work as she helps with center events and programs. In addition to her volunteer work, Composto takes time to spend with her husband and three daughters. Composto is an example of positive aging as she does her 2-mile walk daily and inspires everyone she meets.

Joan Gleason of Bound Brook — Nominated by Barbara Mullens of the county Human Services Department. Joan Gleason, 85, is a familiar face to many in the county, having retired some 20 years ago from the Office on Aging. She was the first to work in the county’s former South Bound Brook Senior Center and also was director of RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program). She continues to serve on LACADA (Local Advisory Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) after 28 years. Those in need in her community know that she may show up with food, meals or items to help them through difficult times; she visits 16 homebound individuals every Sunday. She is on the St. Joseph’s parish council in Bound Brook and volunteers there by working in the office, helping with parishioners’ needs, educating youth and taking care of the priests. Gleason runs her section of Somerville Center Antiques, which gives her the opportunity to interact with people of all walks of life, sharing her stories and years of wisdom. She also teaches a painting class. Anyone who knows anything about the Bound Brook Crusaders knows how Gleason supports that team by acknowledging their skills — and they love her food.

Carol Luidens of Hillsborough — Nominated by the Rev. Dr. Fred Mueller of Hillsborough Reformed Church. Carol Luidens, 65, is known for her volunteer activities not only in this country but abroad. She is a volunteer coordinator for Church World Service and is part of its Peacekeeping Initiative for Israel/Palestine. She is a leader for mission trips where she also mentors youth. She is a Habitat for Humanity coordinator and leader. Luidens’ outdoor recreation consists of kayaking, outdoor work, building repair, maintenance of historic church campuses, hiking and travel. She is a volunteer for Interfaith Hospitality Network; she instructs young people on the plight of the homeless and even gets on the floor to play with the children who are being sheltered by IHN. Luidens is known for her support and promotion of the Trenton Rescue Mission, collecting clothing and other items. Her cheerfulness, passion for social justice and skills as a leader have led many people to give of themselves in service for the betterment of the community and world.

Malcolm Plager of Warren — Nominated by Township Committeewoman and former Mayor Carolann Garafola and former Mayor Susie B. Boyce. Mal Plager, 77, continues to work full time for the American Red Cross, where he continually helps residents all over the county with his work whether it is during a disaster or a time of quiet; he is always there during emergencies making sure folks have food, medications, diapers for babies, cots and blankets. He is now a Regional Coordinator for Emergency Services and Disaster Response Director, NJ Crossroads Chapter; he promotes emergency management and planning drills in several counties. Plager has been a volunteer for 30 years and is currently president of the Warren Township Board of Health. He is an executive board member on the Warren Honorary PBA and helped raise money for bullet-proof vests for local police officers and did fund-raising to purchase a drug-sniffing dog, Onyx, who is now part of the Warren Police Department. Plager continues to be a role model to other seniors in Warren Township and Somerset County with a great deal of energy, a positive outlook, a razor-sharp mind and hardworking ethic, always putting others first.

Bill Rapoport of Somerset (Franklin) — Nominated by county Volunteer Services Coordinator Bill Crosby. Bill Rapoport, 89, is a Handyman Program volunteer who installs smoke detectors and replaces batteries. His specialty is installing grab bars; to date he has personally installed close to 200 safety grab bars for Handyman clients. A serious accident that landed him in the hospital did not stop him; as soon as he could, he returned to his volunteer meetings and continued to help others while using a cane. Rapoport’s volunteering commitment led him to offer his services as a tutor to assist students in the county who are in danger of falling behind in school. With his background as an engineer, he took on the task of tutoring a young man from North Plainfield who needed help in mastering plane geometry; he enjoyed this so much that he wrote an article for his homeowners’ association newsletter that resulted in at least two other retirees offering their services as tutors to this program. As of April 1, Rapoport has donated more than 1,400 hours of service to the senior and disabled citizens of Somerset County.

Gary Verhoorn of Neshanic Station (Branchburg) — Nominated by Stella Nieves of Hillsborough Massage Therapy LLC. Gary Verhoorn, 69, is creator of Resolution For Others Foundation Inc. and race director for Resolution Runs. The mission of Resolution for Others is to strengthen, unify and build community spirit and promote healthy lifestyles through recreational activities and events, to raise awareness of community-based organizations and to help further their goals through fundraising activities. He participates in many triathlons, including Ironman, and in marathons and has organized the Somerset Runners Group; he also does pro-bono massages at local 5K races. He assists in fundraising events for local charities and organizes local 5k runs with up to 500 participants. Verhoorn is an inspiration to many; he continues to embrace an active lifestyle as he approaches his 70th birthday. Through his volunteering activities he provides mentoring and support to his local community.